directions

Using an electric mixer combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract until smooth. Cover and chill until firm

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Preheat over to 350 degrees F

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Line 12 cup muffin pan with paper muffin cups.

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Candied Pumpkin Seeds:

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Spray large baking sheet with cooking spray. Heat seeds in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring frequently, 5 minutes or until the seeds begin to pop. Add sugar, and stir constantly about 1 minute or until sugar begins to liquefy and caramelize; add cinnamon and salt. Spread seeds on prepared baking sheet, and cool. Break apart the seeds that are stuck together, once they have cooled.

Using an electric mixer, combine eggs, sugar and vanilla, mix on low speed just to combine ingredients. Add pumpkin and oil and continue to mix about 1 minute. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until batter is smoother, about 30-60 seconds.

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Baking Muffins:

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Spoon batter into paper muffin cups, making batter level with top of the muffin cup. Add approximately 1 tablespoon of cream cheese mixture to the top of each muffin and press cream cheese down into the middle of each muffin cup of batter. Sprinkle muffins with candied pumpkin seeds. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until slighly browned on top. To test for doneness insert a toothpick into center of muffin (not cream cheese), will come out clean.